Volkswagen GTI

Now spanning five generations, the GTI family continues to be a reminder of when "less was more" at Volkswagen. Before there were Phaetons, before Passats were powered by W-8s, before engineers were distracted by electrically operated air vents and the intricacies of the W-12's intake tract, Volkswagen happened on the formula for a lightweight, simple, practical sporty car, the GTI. It was quick, inexpensive, and roomy, handled splendidly, and looked well-built, and perhaps most important, it was fun in a 55-mph world.

Gradually, the well-deserved GTI reputation softened as it went from being a truly special model in the lineup to a glorified trim package at the top of the Golf range. But the lean years weren't without hope. The occasional VR6-powered rockets and the delightfully uncompromising 20th-anniversary special edition showed us there were still a few folks inside the company who knew what a GTI should be. So when we discovered that the fifth-generation GTI had resurrected the spirit of the first- and second-gen GTIs, we placed it on our 10Best list and added one to our long-term fleet.

Although we are occasionally gluttonous in our optioning of vehicles, we kept the GTI as simple as possible, forgoing 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, navigation, heated seats, and automatic climate control. We selected only option Package 1 (sunroof and satellite radio), for $1370, and the excellent twin-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox ($1075), which brought the total to $25,065. We would have been happy with the standard six-speed manual, but we opted for the complex DSG to see if 40,000 hard miles would temper our love for it.

Our Reflex Silver metallic GTI arrived in March 2006 and immediately drew compliments from the usually jaded staff. From the plaid seats and high-quality interior appointments to the snarling bark of the direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder at wide-open throttle and its lively chassis, the latest GTI caused a flood of '80s flashbacks.

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For Pricing, Specs, and Reviews of the Volkswagen GTI, click here for our buyer's guide.